Cultural Differences

I feel as if there is one aspect of living in Ghana that I will never understand fully. And, I doubt if I will ever fully embrace it. I  tried and I keep trying and I will continue to try, but....

What is this cultural difference that is so hard to embrace? Is it eating dog meat? Nope. Is it urinating wherever you can possibly imagine to relieve your bladder? Nope. Is it malaria? No. Is it 15 hour bus trips to get anywhere? No, not at all! "Then, what is it?" you may ask. I will tell you. It is WAITING, constantly waiting. There is no such thing as people showing up on time for a meeting. Meetings have to be scheduled early so people will arrive by the correct starting time. When the plumber says, "I am on my way coming." he may show up four hours later. I will take my motorcycle to get serviced at 8:00 am and go to pick it up at 5:00 and it hasn't been touched yet. Ugh! It's not just Lawra, it's everywhere! On Christmas Day, worship was at 9:30 in the morning. How many people were in church at 9:30? One. Me. I'm so passionate about this today because I was to meet with someone at 5:00 this evening. And an hour later, this person had yet to show up. I did manage to speak to them on the phone once. "I am still at the workplace." was the response I received. No further call. No suggestion to reschedule. This person knew I was waiting and yet....WAWA (West Africa Wins Again)

Now, this person may have been in a meeting. They may have gotten an assignment close to the end of the day. But, in this culture, no phone call is necessary to say a person will be late, maybe we should have our meeting tomorrow. When I am in the villages, I try to remember a lot of people don't have cell phones, clocks or watches. And, if they do, the battery probably is spoiled. As a Westerner, it is difficult to keep am open mind. During rainy season, it is easier because so much depends on the weather. I always thought that being on time showed respect to the person/persons you are meeting. Here, if a person has to depend on public transportation, time is not anything they can control. The vehicle leaves when it is full there is no schedule. 

I pray that the Lord will give me the insight and wisdom in these situations. That I would experience His peace. After all, when I get upset at someone for being late, am I forcing my culture on them? It's something to think about.

By the way, the person I was to meet with tonight never did show up. Never called.

A DKM Adventure

Waiting for a different bus to come to take us to Sunyani.

This morning, I planned to travel to Sunyani, about 7 to 8 hours from Lawra, to hide away for a few days. The purpose of"hiding away" was to be focused on writing my Ministry and Growth Plan for the upcoming year, reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the future. Razak came to my house early, very early, and we left at 1:30 in the morning to walk to the DKM bus station in Lawra. We arrived at 1:45 and waited for the bus, which came at 2:15. I was able to buy a ticket and found my seat...the last row, center. We were on our way! When we arrived in Wa, I remarked to the guy next to me that it seemed our driver was driving very slow. It took forever to get to Wa and almost an eternity to go as far as Bole.He agreed that it was taking longer than expected.

Moving luggage from one bus to the next. Yes, the cracked windshield was on the "better" bus.

There was no use trying to sleep. Since we were in the last row, every time we went over a speed bump or a speed table, we all flew into the air! I held my backpack part of the time, but was able to put it at my feet part of the time. The two seats next to me were occupied by two adults and three children, none were infants. One of the children sat by my feet for a good part of the trip. We arrived at Bamboi around 8:00 am. The two men on the other side of me alighted and two other people replaced them. Shortly after we left Bamboi, the driver pulled to the side of the road. The was a problem.

Our new bus driver bought all of us water and continued our trip...

The smell was not fresh air, it was that awful smell telling that something was definitely not right with the bus. We were told a different bus was "on the way coming." More than two and a half hours later, it arrived! I was grateful that it wasn't hot season. The weather was quite pleasant...and, there was plenty of thick, tall grasses around if you had to relieve yourself. 

Oooops! The mirror broke off and was hanging by a cable. A "fix" was in progress.

The luggage was moved from one bus to the other and we were finally on our way! This time, I sat in front. Nice! Everything was going along quite well, until...the driver noticed that the bracket of his side mirror had rusted through and was now hanging by a cable. So, we stopped to fix it.

The mirror was tied up so that it wouldn't swing by the cable and possibly hit the window.

The guys took some rags and pieces of cloth to tie the mirror in place. It wasn't usable, but, at least now it wasn't swinging from the cable. And, it wasn't in danger of hitting the windshield. We were on our way again! All was well for about twenty minutes. Then...

Oh, no, the mirror fell and started swinging again!

The mirror got loose! It started swinging again. We were on a narrow part of a curvy road, so we couldn't pull off right away. But, the driver did slow down. After a short bit, he did stop and tie the mirror in place again. On the road again...We were almost to Sunyani! We finally arrived at 2;15. It was a twelve hour trip that should have taken seven to eight hours. But, that's life in Ghana!

Home Again

 

I arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. But, I didn't arrive home until Friday, the 20th. Jasper picked me up at the airport. Then, I exchanged money and went meat and cheese shopping before going to the Jackson's house to spend two nights. When we arrived, I discovered one of my suitcases was broken and in a matter of minutes, I dropped my phone which was now beyond repair! I was thankful for the phone that was given me while in the US. I put my stuff in the freezer. Later that night, the electricity went out. (Accra is on a schedule 12 hours on, 24 hours off.) I prayed my food would survive!

 

Wednesday, Charlie took me to Vodafone to buy a new one. (The phone from the US does not support the apps I use. The operating system could not be updated. But, it works great as a second phone!) I also prepared for my trip north. We decided to take two days, not pushing a 14+ hour drive in one day. Jasper and I left Sunyani on Thursday, and on to Lawra, Friday. We stayed with the Methodist bishop in Sunyani. His deep freeze was working fine and the electricity was on, so everything of mine was solid before we left on Friday. On Friday, we stopped in Wa so I could buy vegetables at the market. Lettuce was available! We arrived in Lawra around 1:00 in the afternoon. There were things to be done before going to my house...greet the pastor, drop off donations to the Lawra Methodist Children's Centre and buy fuel.

 

Finally, home! Sydney was there to greet me and unlock the door. The truck was unloaded and Jasper was on his way back to Accra. I was greeted with dust...EVERYWHERE! I had to clean as I started to unpack and put things away. Even so, it was good to be home!

 

Since Friday, I have had my motorcycle serviced, twice. Once for an oil change and a new battery and once for a flat tire. The tube was spoiled. The plumber is here for the second time. Yesterday, he fixed the kitchen sink. Today, he is fixing the wash sink. The clothes line was spoiled and needed replaced. Monday, the laundry was done and floors were well cleaned. I also found out that I needed to buy a new SIM card for my internet. the one I had was too old! I have worshipped in Kalsagri, visited the pastor, the Lawra Methodist Primary School, and the Tea Shop. I visited daily market and saw some of the ladies from Kalsagri selling their shea butter. (See above picture.) Now, I am trying to catch up on church work, emails, etc. Even though the pastor told me to rest this week, it hasn't happened much. I am just so glad to be home! I thank God for bringing me back safely. 

School Discipline

 

Here, in Ghana, I often see adults with a stick in hand, ready to discipline a wayward child. Caning is an acceptable form of discipline, even in schools. But, some schools are trying to get away from that type of punishment. If a child gets in trouble, they may have to pick rocks up from an area on the school grounds that is in the process of being cleared. Weeding is another punishment that is given. Try weeding in the sun when the temperature is in the 90s. No fun at all! Digging a hole for whatever is needed is also a punishment that is used. Also, sending a child to fetch water can be a disciplinary action. There are so many "manual labor" kinds of punishment that I have heard of and seen.

 

Recently, while traveling, I saw all these school children kneeling on the dry, hard ground, in the scorching sun. They knelt there for several minutes. I had never seen that before, so I asked about it. It was corporate punishment - punishment for the entire school! People would walk up and down the lines of the students, making sure they were in the correct position. The students had to remain there until the signal was given to get up. Caning was no longer allowed at this school, so this form of punishment was being used.

 

Hmmm...makes one wonder about the consequences of one's actions!

 

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Entering a New Decade

 

Another decade has come and gone. "What?" you may ask, thinking it is still 2013; the calendar has not changed to a new year, let alone a new decade. But, in my life, the pages of the calendar have turned. I am now 60 years old...old enough to retire in Ghana! (But, I am not a Ghanaian citizen. Plus, what would I do if I retire now?) I have experienced many emotions as I have reached this milestone of life. People congratulate me...but, it isn't anything I have done. God is the One who numbers out days. So, I am grateful for the time He has given me. And, I am grateful for the many experiences in which He has allowed me to participate.

 

I often pray like King David did in 2 Samuel 7:18..."Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that You have brought me this far?" Far can mean so many things...distance, as I am very far from my blood family...experiences, I have been in the Andes mountains and bathed in the river below, I have walked where Paul the apostle walked, I have been in the company of some very important people, in the world's eyes, and numerous important people in God's eyes...I have learned how to ride a motorcycle at the age of 59...I live and work among some of the most amazing people I have ever met. But, more importantly, He has brought me far in my walk with Him. Life has not always been easy, has not always been care-free. But, through the years, I have learned that I can trust in my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He will always be here for me, only a breath away - not even that far!!! And, with Him, I can be thankful in all things, rejoice always and live a grateful life.

 

I pray I have more new decades to enter. I pray that God will continue to sustain me. I pray that I will continue to grow in love and knowledge of Him. I pray people will see Him in me. I pray that as I live out this new decade of life, it will glorify Him, for He is the Author and Giver of Life. Thank You, Lord!

Regina's Story

 

This past week, I attended the World Mission Conference held in Kasoa, Ghana. The venue was the Pentecostal Conference Center (which is a work in progress, but very nice!) While there, I met a sweet woman who works in the building where I slept. One day, she came to my room to bring me something, and I greeted her and asked her name. (I know very little Twi and she knew very little English.) When I asked her name, she showed me the inner part of her left arm. There, tattooed, was her name and the name of her village. Immediately, my heart broke for her. I have discovered that there are still a few clans that tattoo there arms with name and village as a means of identification, especially if the person is in an accident. Ghana has many languages, people move, they wander...it is a way of knowing where a person belongs.

 

Then, I looked at the inside of her right arm. She told me that she received that tattoo before she became a Christian. It was a tattoo of a Ghanaian proverb, that when a dog bites, he bares his teeth. Then, as we were talking, I was looking at her beautiful face, her lovely smile...and, the markings by her right eye...initiation into the occult when she was young. What does a person say? "Our God is a loving God, a forgiving God, a God who makes us new..." You could see how she loves the Lord.

 

In the southern part of Ghana, there is the Sankofa symbol. It reminds people to "remember where you have come from." Regina doesn't need that symbol to remember...she can see every day, several times a day, what the Lord has done for her. And, she rejoices, for, in Him, she has been made new!

 

 

Me? A Basket Case...Yep!

Today was one of those days...a day that as time went on, I became overwhelmed by the next "big" task that is on the horizon. I felt the fear creep in. I was ready to cry...This is the story:

 

Monday, I will be traveling with Naamal (5 years old) and her father to Kumasi. We will be going to a teaching hospital where Naamal can receive treatment for the tumor that has been growing in her mouth for three years. Today, it hit me...I have no idea where we are going, where we will stay and, I have a limited amount of money for travel and treatment. What will I do? Up to this point, Naamal's parents were not involved. No relative would travel with her. So, I didn't have to think about these things. But, now, her father is here. So, we made plans to travel on Monday. Everyone that I tried to contact in Kumasi was unavailable or didn't answer their phone. Ugh! What would we do? I am not Ghanaian enough to just travel and see what happens when I arrive. I have two other people to think about. What to do?

 

I called Razak. He would know what to do. He said, "I am on my way coming." An hour and a half later, I called him again. "Oh, Mama Sue, I forgot. I am on my way..." He showed up in five minutes. He called Rev. Job. who lives in Kumasi and could help us. No answer. He called Rev. Lawrence...he is in a meeting, will call back later. He called Rev. Dery...he will call back later.... (They are all related.) I was almost in tears because of the uncertainty of it all. What to do?

 

Rev. Lawrence did call back. He called Rev. Job in Kumasi. Rev. Job will take care of us. Either himself or his daughter, Grace will go to the hospital with us and help us through the process. Grace...God's grace...I didn't have to be a basket case...God heard the cries of my heart...and He ANSWERED!

Harvest

In Ghana, harvest time is very important, not only at the end of the farming season, but throughout the entire year. When I first attended a Harvest in 2007, I had in mind what most Americans would have in mind. After all, it was fall, and I imagines celebrating the crops that grew by the grace of God, during the season. But, no, when a "Harvest" is held, it is much different than what I had pictured in my mind.

 

On May 12, the Babile Methodist Church had a Harvest. During the month before this took place, envelopes with the name of the church, the date of the Harvest and other pertinent information printed on it, were given out to church members, community members and any other people who might be interested in financially supporting the church, since a Harvest is a fundraiser!  

May 12 came and I rode on the back of a motorcycle to the Babile church about 1/2 hour away. The church service was great. Surely, the presence of the Lord was in this place. The Very Reverend Ernest Baiden gave a very Biblical sermon on giving. Then, the "festivities" began. First, the normal offering was taken. Then, the envelopes were given. Next a plea for money was given, starting with anyone who could give 50 Ghana cedis all the way down to 1 Ghana cedi. Each amount was pleaded for separately.

 

Now, the fun began! People brought items from home to sell, to auction off and the proceeds would go to the church. There was millet, Guinea fowl eggs, groundnuts, both in and out of the shell, corn, water sachets, rice...You get the picture. It was so much fun to watch and listen to the bidding. When I saw the groundnuts, I KNEW some would be mine...let the bidding begin!

 

I had to be patient, as the water, millet, rice, cassava, even the eggs were auctioned off first. Finally, they came to the shelled, raw groundnuts. The bidding started at 6 Ghana cedis...it went to 7, then, 7.50, 8, 8.50...I finally bought my bay of groundnuts for 10 Ghana cedis (about $5.35 USD). (I took them home and roasted them a few days later. I will be eating groundnuts until the end of June!)

 





After the auction, there was another plea for money, this time, each church represented came forward to place their money in the collection box. The goal was to see which church would "win" by putting in the most money. Of course, Kasalgri, my church, won by 5 Ghana cedis! It was a close race, announcing a winner, then more money given, announcing the new winner, more money given, etc.

At the end of the day, a total of 1580.70 Ghana cedis were given. And, because of a donation by Wesley UMC in Erie, PA, that amount was matched. The church will put a new roof on and start putting in louver windows. It was a wonderful day. Each person there contributed to the cause. They worked hard to raise this money. And, now, after so long, there will be a roof on the church. No more dodging the sun and the rain. Praise God for His provision!

Metro Mass Transit, LTD. - Moving the Nation

Yesterday I began my travels to Ho, which is in the Volta Region of Ghana. I am VERY grateful that I was able to catch a Metro bus in Lawra, instead of having to spend the night in Wa to get a bus at 4:00 AM. I was told to be at the Lawra station by 5:00AM. So, I was able to sleep in my own bed & avoid the extra cost of staying in Wa.

I arrived at the station shortly before 5:00. After being asked where I was going, I was told by several people that the bus had already passed through Lawra. They wanted me to travel in their tro-tro, a van that squishes 20+ people in it. Hmmm...that didn't sound right. Just a few days ago the Hamile-Kumasi bus passed through Lawra at 6:00 AM. No, I told them, I will wait small.

The tro-tro was being packed and I was praying. More than one person had told me that the bus comes somewhere around 6:00 AM. And, if they left Hamile at 4:30, there was NO WAY it would have reached Lawra this early. So, I waited. And, continued to pray!

At 5:50 AM, the most beautiful orange bus came into view. It was the bus I was waiting for, the Hamile-Kumasi bus. I would be able to ride this bus to Wenchi in relative comfort. (Comfort being 90% attitude.)

I ended up in seat number 3, with no one in seat number 2, so Julia, my seat mate & I had plenty of room. The motor was right in front of me & I was able to stretch my legs out on top of it. =-) The ride to Wa was truly a blessing. I was so thankful. 

Our "quick" stop in Wa ended up to be two hours long. Evidently, there was a problem with one of the tires & it needed fixed or changed. I would rather sit in Wa for two hours than on the side of the road for four. Again, it is all a matter of attitude & gratefulness!

All went well after that. I couldn't help wondering why people pay to ride at amusement parks when they can ride the Metro at a much smaller cost & have the same experience! There is no preaching or selling on the bus, so when we have our "rest stop" people preach and sell right outside of the bus doors. Trust me, the facilities at the rest stops don't even come close to American facilities!

Even with the two hour stop, I alighted in Wenchi before 1:30 PM. Metro Mass Transit does it again...I arrived safe, in a timely manner and at a great price! Thank You, Lord, for keeping me safe on this trip!

Where Do I Put My Trust?

I have several friends, both Ghanaian and American, who have asked me to think twice, if not three times, about traveling on the bus to and from Accra at night. Armed robbers lurk around some of these roads during the darkest part of the trip. A few times, I traveled a day or two after robberies during which lives were taken.

The bus I usually travel on is an OA bus. This company schedules several buses to leave within a half hour of the first to the last so that the drivers and mates can keep track of each other and help out one another if needed. Oh, and they have a policeman with an AK 47 sitting in the front seat. So, I have felt pretty safe.



Shortly before leaving for Accra, Razak traveled at night. The vehicle in front of his bus - not a bus, but an open truck with people crammed in it - was robbed. About six people died. He did NOT want me to travel at night. But, I told him of the number of buses traveling together and about the police, not giving it a second thought. Until...

Until my return trip from Accra. We were all seated on the bus. The driver was pulling out of the "station." And, I realized there was no AK 47 with a policeman attached to it. Ah...how can this be? How can this happen? Then, a thought hit me...I do not trust in chariots, or gods made out of stone or even AK 47s. I put my trust in the LORD.  And, I settled down to a quiet, uneventful trip north to Wa. Praise God!

Waiting...a Way of Life

Life in Ghana is definitely a LOT slower than it is in America, a LOT slower! People take their time. In Lawra, very few people wear a watch. Time is "told" by the position of the sun. So, if it is a cloudy day, people will be late for church, appointments, whatever they have scheduled. I like the slower paced life style, I don't like the waiting!

This past week or so, I had experienced quite a bit of this new way of life. The plumber said he would be at my house at noon. He never showed up. The Internet connection was slow, at best. Email was impossible to access even though I kept trying. Another person told me they were, "On the way coming." They arrived an hour and a half later. A friend told me that they would pick up some items from my house...they never showed. I wait for a vehicle to fill before I travel to Wa - sometimes two hours! Even church rarely starts when it is scheduled.

So, the lesson to be learned is basically "get used to it. Accept it. Always carry a book" because an entire culture isn't going to change just for me. It's that or get upset about it on a daily basis. I chose to accept the things I cannot change! 



Just One Little Drop

In the world's eyes, I am just a "normal" person. I haven't accomplished any great feat or have never found a cure for a incurable disease, my grades in school were just average. I am just like most of the world...a sinner. Yet, I have been saved by grace. And, THAT is what makes all the difference in the world!

Living in Ghana, in the Upper West Region, is no big deal. Not to me anyway. I have gotten involved in the life of the local church, in the lives of the children living at the Centre and in the administration of the clinic. People in the community have noticed that I am becoming more and more a part of them. Yet, here, I am not doing any "big" or "great" thing - in my eyes.

I spoke with someone today who had just returned from seeing the bishop of the Northern Ghana Diocese. Evidently, I was one of the topics of conversation. It seems that living everyday life in an area in which I live has created a ripple effect. People have been noticing, watching. Lives have been touched in one way or another. Encouragement has been received. People are being empowered. None of it is in "big, huge ways" but in individual lives. Yet, who knew? I was unaware. Praise God that He can use someone ordinary, like me, to do His work!

He Will Supply All You Need Just in Time – The Rest of the Story

Ever since I had decided to return to Lawra with or without my passport I have had such peace. I have been enjoying my days and calling to see if there has been any news about the visa and passport. Trust is not easy for me. During this time I believe that God has been trying to take me to a new level of trusting Him. I have felt as if a burden has been lifted off of me.

Late this morning I received a phone call from Mr. A. He was at Ghana Immigration Services. He had my passport, with my resident visa in it in his hand. Praise God!

Yesterday, I bought a bus ticket for Wa, about 2 hours from Lawra, for tonight at 10 PM. When did God supply my need? Today, Corrie Ten Boom’s father was right…God will supply all I need - just in time!

He Will Supply All You Need Just in Time - Page 3

Have you seen the movie. Facing the Giants? Some of the themes are never give up, never back down, never lose faith. In the movie, Grant Taylor's football team has had six consecutive losing seasons, finances at home are stretched to the limit and his wife desperately wants to get pregnant. After an encounter with God, Grant decides to live out his faith, praising God when they win, praising God when they lose. The school he coaches at has had a revival. Kids were giving their lives to Christ, asking for forgiveness and trying to lead lives that would honor God. When the team won a game, they praised God. When the team lost a game, they praised God. By the end of the movie, Grant's team wins the championship, his finances are on the upswing and his wife is pregnant.

When I face giants in my life, it rarely works out like it did in this movie. There are a lot of situations that I wanted changed, things I wanted to happen, relationships strengthened...and, it just didn't happen. I guess my life isn't a 112 minute movie.

What did happen, though, was the realization that God is all I needed to be complete, to be fulfilled. God was my strength, my fortress, my shelter, my hope, my provider, my healer, my...I can go on and on. He has been building His character in me. Imagine that! The characteristics of God, growing, taking root in me. It is a miracle for which I am thankful. Oh, there have been plenty of struggles, just as there were struggles in the move, but they weren't resolved in an hour and a half. It is a lifetime of learning, growing, trusting, becoming more like Him.

Now, my giant is the unknown about my resident visa. I have decided to return to Lawra with or without my passport tomorrow. I want to go home (to Lawra). I need to go home. I need to totally trust that this situation is in God's hands and that He will supply all I need - just in time!

Still Waiting

Here is yesterday's journal entry:

"Good morning, Lord. This morning I am filled with anxiety instead of trust. I want to trust, I choose to trust, but the anxiety seems to creep in. O God, I want my passport today so much that I can taste it. (yum!) I don't want to go back north without it. And, as I listen to others tell me how long they've waited for their passports, that trust and Your peace diminishes bit by bit. Help me to surrender it to You. O God, I do surrender it to You. Fill me with Your peace. Let me experience a new level of intimacy with you. My life is in your hands."

Mark 10:27 "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Mark 11:22 "Have faith in God," Jesus said.

He Will Supply All You Need Just in Time - Page 2

In my post on Saturday, I said that Mr. A. and I went to Ghana Immigration Service. Here is page 2 of the story:

The person that we needed to see wasn't in, so we turned around and started down the hall to the stairwell. Unexpectedly, an Immigration worker "Psssst - ed" at us and told us to come back. She took us into the office of one of the guys in charge. We told him our story & he sent people out to find my folder. An hour later, he was ready to go home and there was no folder. So, he told us to return on Monday and to skip reception and go straight to the office where visas to Americans are granted.

Mr. A. arrived at Immigration first. So, when I arrived there this morning, people were already looking for my folder. A half hour later, we were told that my folder was lost. They had contacted the records department to see what information could be gotten from them. Mr. A. offered to go back to his office to make copies of everything that was submitted with my resident visa application. While doing this, Mr. A. received a phone call. My folder was found! Praise God!

We were told to call tomorrow to see if we could pick up my passport. I saw mine today. I know it is there...will I have it so I can make plans to head north on Wednesday?

I praise and thank God that we pushed for the passport now. Who knows how many more months would have gone by before it was discovered my file was "lost." So, even though I don't have my passport in hand, God has me and this situation in His hands!

He Will Suply All You Need Just in Time

Waiting is never easy. I know. That is all I did yesterday, or so it seems! I had a dentist appointment at 10 AM. The driver was to pick me up at 9 AM. He arrived at 11. Yes, I called him. It didn't help. When we got to the dentist, I had to wait an hour before they could take me. I was so grateful that I could be seen! After that, I went to Methodist Headquarters to inquire about my passport. (I have been waiting "patiently" to hear that my resident visa has arrived.) The person who I would accompany suggested we wait before we go to Ghana Immigration Services because they might not all be back from their lunch break. So, I waited a half hour. Then, we went to Immigration. He spoke to the person in the reception area, asking if my passport was ready. She would inquire about it. Two hours later, we still had heard nothing. So, we were going to leave. But, Mr. A. decided to take a chance & go to the office to retrieve it in person. So, we went up to the office where Americans would be approved for a resident visa. An hour later, we left with no visa in hand. But, God's hand was in this...I kept thinking of a story Corrie Ten Boom often told:

"When I was a little girl, " I said, "I went to my father and said, "Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ." "Tell me," said Father, "When you take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?" "No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train." "That is right," my father said, "and so it is with God's strength. Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ. He will supply all you need just in time"

I know I will have my passport just in time, not mine, but God's. Stay tuned...Monday I hope to post "The Rest of the Story."

Rejoice, Rest, Renew, Revive, Research, Restock

I have spent the last 2 ½ weeks in Accra. I had some things to do here and my friends needed someone to stay at their house. So, it was a match made in Heaven! Although I miss my home in Lawra, I feel that I have been blessed by God because of the many things I have been able to do while here.

I was able to REJOICE with Raymond Dery (my language teacher) and his family as he was commissioned as a pastor with Methodist Church Ghana. Dery has a burden for his people and it is the desire of his heart to see these people have a day to day, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Any congregation he will serve will be blessed!

I have also been able to REST while here. When I left Lawra, I had malaria. So, rest wasn’t an option. I didn’t feel like doing anything! I had made reservations for a night at Hilburi for a 24 hour vacation & I wasn’t going to cancel that. I had started to feel better. Hilburi was just what I needed! The scenery was beautiful! The bed was comfy. The food was delicious. Since I left Hilburi, I continue to pace myself, trying not to go overboard with “stuff to do” in a day, but making sure that I’m not a “slug.”

RENEWAL should be a part of every day. (That is my opinion!) I enjoy having my morning coffee or tea on the veranda with GOD. I have been using the book, Praying the Attributes of God by Rosemary Jensen, along with my Bible & journal. I am always amazed at what GOD has to say to me, if only I would listen!

REVIVAL has come in a variety of ways. But, I think the one I noticed the most was attending church (or churches) this past Sunday. I didn’t realize how much I needed to worship with the body of Christ without having any expectations or responsibilities laid on me. I felt a release as we sung the first song and the tears started forming in my eyes with gratitude to the Father. That service, along with the online service of First UMC, Corry really revived my soul, my spirit.

Since I have been in Accra, the internet connection has been so much better than the connection I have in Lawra. I have been able to RESEARCH a variety of topics related to birth defects, developmental delays and prenatal care. I’ve been in touch with some people in the medical field who might be able to help out the children and families that I work with. I have also been working on my Dagaare dictionary & have called Dery on the phone to ask him how something is translated into the local language.

Last, but not least, I have been able to RESTOCK. Food choices in Lawra are slim. Even fresh fruit & vegetable choices are slim. So, I have enjoyed being able to go grocery shopping and buying canned goods and cheese to take up north with me. Fruits, veggies, jelly and a variety of other things will be stocked on my shelves when I return.

It seems as if I have been in Accra for a long time. But, it has been necessary. Along with the other things that I have been able to accomplish, I am still waiting on my passport. I need to take it with me to Lawra to present it to the immigration officials there. So, I wait, I call about it, and I wait some more. All the while I know that God has had plans for me while in Accra. This has NOT been wasted time. To God be the glory!

No Picture Necessary

Little by little I have been realizing my life has changed. I do things and wonder about things that I wouldn't do or wonder about while living in Pennsylvania. I hope to "enlighten" you about some of those things.
~About two months ago, a roll of toilet paper fell into the toilet. It was a new roll & the toilet water was clean, so I let it dry and then I used it!
~When traveling, rest stops are few & far between. Oh, and there are usually no "facilities." I have peed behind bushes, out in the open along side of the road, in between buses in a parking lot, behind a building, and a few other places I'd rather not think about!
~There is no place for toilet paper when you stop at the above mentioned rest stops.
~When I buy meat, it is in small hunks. So, when I bring it home, I look them over & bag them to freeze. And I wonder...is this tongue? What is this? Hmmm...I don't want to know. Some pieces never get eaten. They get frozen only to be burned in the rubbish! (Like the chicken head & feet.)
~I have left my luggage at "the bus station" while going shopping. Nothing was stolen!
~I have accepted rides from people I had just met.
~When I see something black on the floor I wonder if it is or ever had been alive. Or maybe it is left behind by something that was alive. Or maybe it is just dirt.
~Last night, I wanted to cook rice for dinner. The rice was teeming with ants. So, I rinsed it about six times & then cooked it. Yum!
~Every time the power goes out, I can hear my mother telling me not to refreeze meat. I have no control over these things. Prayer before meals and thanking God for food eaten is very important!
~After being away from Lawra for almost 2 weeks, I have been told that my skin is very white and that I have "grown fat." I guess I better put walking into my schedule when I return to Accra.
~While washing clothes by hand, I have noticed how quickly the rinse water becomes dirty. Do you ever wonder about the rinse water in your washing machine? Look at it...do you want to wear clothes that have been in that?
~Ghanaian dresses don't have pockets. So, when traveling or even just walking around, the best place to put a cell phone or money is in your bra.